Candida Royalle Doc Kickstarter Launches

VANCOUVERCanadian filmmaker Sheona McDonald recently teamed up with adult icon Candida Royalle to make a feature-length documentary biopic that frames the latter’s life in a novel way — about the search for her estranged mother.

The duo have officially launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds to launch the doc, titled “While You Were Gone: The Untold Story of Candida Royalle.” With 30 days to go, Royalle and McDonald are hoping to raise $135,000.

“Candida Royalle is a woman you think you know, with a story you’ve heard before: a porn star, turned producer, turned advocate for women’s sexual rights,” the synopsis reads. “But inside the story you know, is a woman you don’t:  Candice.”

It continues, “Abandoned by her mother at a young age and raised in unusual circumstances, she was at the heart of these big moments, cultural shifts, who chose a path not many would and then found a way to change her story, who fought for every inch of her success, who faced cancer head-on. And through all that, came to this place, this point where she's ready to tell her own story in a way we've never imagined, through the search for a mother she never knew ... but is it too late?”

“My life took place in her absence,” Royalle said, gthat “while her mother was gone,” her entire life unfolded. And now, after 60 years of separation, she’s interested in finding out about and meeting the woman who wasn’t there to see her grow and flourish. “I would like to know what happened to her in her life,” Royalle continued. “Where did she go? Why did she leave? Did she ever talk about us? Did she miss us?”

The fact that Royalle was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer a few years ago galvanized McDonald and Royalle to pursue the project with greater urgency and impetus. “Time is of the essence,” McDonald told XBIZ in an exclusive Q&A with her and Royalle.    

The film was hatched by happenstance when McDonald interviewed Royalle for her forthcoming film “Inside Her Sex” for CBC’s digital documentary channel in Canada, which began as an exploration of women and porn, but evolved to encompass the broader spectrum of the relationship between female sexuality and shame.  

Finding that many of themes present in the doc were present in Royalle’s story, she reached out to her again in January of this year in hopes of setting up future interviews for “Inside Her Sex.” After corresponding via email and phone, the two were mutually inspired by each other to pursue an entirely separate project — the story, more or less, of Royalle’s life.

Royalle and McDonald plan to film the doc throughout 2014 and begin editing late this year or early next year. Should the film get funded in full, McDonald anticipates that it will release in the summer of 2015.

While McDonald acknowledged on Kickstarter that $135,000 may seem like a lot, it is actually a bare-bones budget that will just cover the basic costs of production.

For more info, or to help fund "While Were You Gone: The Untold Stroy of Candida Royalle," click here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Penthouse Names Krystal Harper Its November 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named model Krystal Harper as Pet of the Month for November.

Sinatra Monroe Toplines New Digital Playground Comedy 'Single Minded'

Sinatra Monroe headlines the new comedy feature from Digital Playground, titled "Single Minded."

Adult Time Launches New Series 'Preggo World'

Adult Time has released the first episode of its new series “Preggo World,” titled “18 & Pregnant.”

Alexis James Makes Her Tushy Raw Debut

Alexis James has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Tushy Raw, alongside Victor Ray.

Tyler Wu Guests on Chaturbate's 'Sex Tales' Podcast

Tyler Wu is the latest guest on Chaturbate’s “Sex Tales” podcast, hosted by Melissa Stratton and Vanniall on the company’s “Camming Life” YouTube channel.

Lucy Hart Stars in Mainstream Slasher Flick 'Director's Cut'

Long-time performer Lucy Hart has stepped outside the world of adult, starring in a new mainstream slasher movie, "Director's Cut," that premiered this weekend in theaters across the U.S.

Fleshy to Launch Interactive Cam Site 'Eremote'

Male pleasure brand Fleshy has announced that it will launch an interactive, bidirectional cam site next month called Eremote.

Rae Lil Black, Rikako Katayama Star in Latest From Vored

Rae Lil Black and Rikako Katayama star in the latest release from Hentaied.pro studio brand Vored, titled "Sinful Taste."

XBIZ LA Show Introduces New 'Crib Crawl' Feature

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the 2025 edition of its flagship conference, the XBIZ Show, will debut a brand-new feature: Crib Crawl, offering attendees the chance to meet and greet representatives from leading brands and organizations in dedicated suites at the host venue.

Sage Hunter Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Sage Hunter has made her Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) debut alongside studio honcho Bryan Gozzling.

Show More